Monday, 4 November 2013

Saturday's result sets us up nicely for the week ahead. We have huge games against Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United, the first of which we need to avoid defeat in so that we have any chances of progressing out of the group stages. While at Old Trafford we know any result will still leave us at the top of the table going into the international break.

I thought we bossed the game against Liverpool. They pretty much took a battering from us. It was only once we were 2-0 up that they seemed to respond. I thought the whole team had a superb game and despite our lack of squad depth at the moment given the injury situation, the whole team was up for it. Looking at our attacking options on the bench, it was a good job we didn't need to go hunting a win.

I can't really single out any one player for not performing either. All 14 players had something to offer the victory, even if Carl Jenkinson's contribution was breaking down an attack by getting himself booked.

Jack Wilshere looks set to miss out on the trip to Germany. It seems as though Mathieu Flamini and Theo Walcott will both be short of fitness as well for the game at Signal Iduna Park. So we'll have the same squad of players bar Kieran Gibbs, who looks set to be on the sidelines until after the international break, barring a miracle recovery.

Clearly in Nacho Monreal we have an ideal replacement for our first choice left back. This is an opportunity for him to state his claim for a place in the team even when Gibbs recovers from his injury. And what's good about having Monreal in reserve and ready to step in is that he's able to cope with the pressure of playing in two big games within a matter of days.

What the result against Liverpool has given us is belief. I think it's far too early to be talking about the title race. We're in a fantastic position which we can build on.

Part one of our mission is complete. Let's prepare well for Wednesday night and ensure we come away with a positive result. Then we can take on the champions with maximum confidence.